This is a book review blog. Every book I read is reviewed and then rated on a scale from 1-13.
The categories for rating are Emotional/Intellectual Content, Style/Readability, and Long Term Impact. Each category is rated 1-4. I reserve a bonus point for wherever I see fit.
Please read a review and let me know what you think.
Happy New Year! May the year be a good one for you. Inside Straight Edited by George R.R. Martin 384 Pages (Fiction) Inside Straight is part of an interesting set of books known as the Wild Card series. The series is on its 20th book now and involves an ever-changing list of characters and authors that write the books. This is the only book I have read of the series and it seems that you can grab any book and it will be able to stand-alone. I have a feeling that the first book might open your eyes to a lot of things. Here is the basic premise from Wikipedia The series relates an alternate history of the earth after World War II. In 1946 an alien virus that rewrites human DNA is accidentally unleashed in the skies over New York City. It kills 90% of those who come into contact with it (referred to as 'drawing the Black Queen'). However, 9% mutate into deformed creatures (known as 'Jokers') and the remaining 1% gain superpowers (known as 'Aces'). The airborne virus eventually spreads all over the world, affecting tens of thousands. Inside Straight is set in the current day. A TV show American Hero is set up to show off the abilities of the various Aces that compete to win a million dollars. It is very similar to the “real” TV show Survivor. Rather than ordinary people doing extraordinary things American Hero has extraordinary people doing unbelievable things. They rescue people from burning houses, navigate mazes that normal people couldn’t and stop bank robberies from happening. The Aces are divided into four teams. The Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs and Spades teams are made of unique characters all with different abilities. Each one trying to use their skills to best help the team. Typically an author has “their” character, so when you get to a chapter by that author it is usually from “their” character’s point of view. This made things really choppy for me. It felt like starting a new book about 5-6 times while you adjusted to the new author/characters point of view. (WARNING: SPOILER AHEAD) This was most apparent when a few of the people on the show had been voted off and then were drawn into a Egyptian conflict. So the story goes from a happy go lucky TV show with mini rivalries to an all out military and refugee conflict in the middle of the desert. It was jarring and made it seem like the book was set up to go in this direction and that the beginning of the book was pointless (other than some character introduction.) As you can tell I wasn’t overly impressed with the book. I found some of the writers to be very engaging others were unimpressive. Martin was the best by far. Emotional: 1 Nothing inspiring. I wasn’t that drawn to the book. The interpersonal relationships seem contrived. Intellectual: 2 I found the idea of the aces and an alternate “comic book” reality to be a really great idea, but the reality wasn’t what I had hoped for. Long Term: 2 This could be more depending on the other books in the series. Since there are 20 books obviously people are reading them, which has me inclined to check out other books in the set. A total of 5 out of 13. That is my worst rating yet. George R.R. Martin is a great author and it bothers me to put such a low rating on a book with his name on the cover. I was rating just the part that he wrote this would be much higher. I want to do a little more research and find out if I would like the earlier books more. For now I would pass on this book. Keep Turning Pages!
Many professors are asked to give a Last Lecture. They are to imagine the end of their life is near and this will be the last thing they will get to part upon the world. Randy Pausch is dying of pancreatic cancer. His Last Lecture will truly be his last. After giving the lecture he takes the basic message and expanded it into a book.
The book is basically an autobiography. It is focused on how he Lived his life and not how he is going to die. He takes all the life lessons he has learned and talks about how, who, when and where he learned them. When he was a young man he made a list of things he wanted to do. He talks about how with luck and perseverance he made those childhood dreams come true.
It is an extremely emotional book. It is broken up into many little chapters. Each section is a part of his life that meant something to him. Some are 10 pages long others only half a page. They all add up to a great life experience. He focuses almost exclusively on the good times. When you put yourself in his place, you are leaving behind your wife, your children and your plans. There were a few times that tears started to well up as I read this. If you imagine yourself in his place, and then read all of the deeply personal experiences he conveys, it is hard not to get a little choked up.
Part of the book deals with preparations that come with a terminal illness. That is the power behind this book. A man can't teach his children as they grow so he leaves this book for them to learn from as they age. The over riding message is don't waste your time, enjoy your life and live your dreams.
As Randy evaluates his life you can take a look at yours as well. It seems the book is more for his family, but he was hoping to help others that read it as well. We only have so much time on this world and how we spend it means a lot in the end.
5 Emotional: You can't get more emotional than a man putting everything he cares about in a book for the world to read.
1 Intellectual: The book is based in emotion. The point wasn't to be intellectual.
4 Long Term: The book is filled with life lessons that aren't tied to a time or place. This will easily stand the test of time.
Overall, 10 out of 13. Everyone that reads this has something to gain. I read it in a little over 24 hours. It doesn't take much time and it will leave you with a good outlook on life.
The book begins in 1497, two messengers are killed when it is discovered that they betrayed their master by opening a letter before having delivered it. 500 years later a Renaissance scholar tells the tale to his son so many times he doesn't know how many times he has heard it. The Hypnerotomacia is a book that's secrets have eluded all that have tried to decode it. The book is printed without an author. The first letter of each chapter reveal, when translated, the author to be Francesco Colonna. Through deduction and happenstance the book opens up new areas of exploration within its text. Tom Sullivan's father dedicated three decades of his life to it and didn't discover its secret before dying in an accident. As Tom enters collage he befriends another student, Paul. Paul recognizes his name from a dedication in one of his father's books. Paul seems to have been drawn into the power of the Hypnerotomacia and dedicates the next four years to trying to solve its puzzles. Paul's friendship with Tom quickly draws him into the book as well. Each time some obscure reference is translated and figured out it leaves a riddle to be solved that leads the young men scrambling to solve it. The book jumps around in time. It is mostly in "present" time. The boys are just set to graduate from college and the final clues are starting to pull together, they need certain reference points to actually figure it out. The book goes into the past and you get a feel for the world as the book was written. You are with Tom's father as he makes a discovery of the Belladonna document&183; This letter confirms a theory that he has had, but unable to prove. You follow the boys along the past four years making discoveries along with them. The Rule of Four is very easy to read. In a typical mystery book fashion it grabs you and with each discovery you want to keep reading. In fact I read it in just 6 days. (With a baby boy at home that is a lot.) So far as a mystery book it is very entertaining. I do have some issue with mystery books in general. My problem is that as a reader you rarely ever have a chance to solve it yourself. I find the characters are immersed in the puzzle and you are brought along as the reader, but I don't have a copy of the Hypnerotomacia with me to actually figure out things with them. I can take pleasure in their discoveries, but they are not mine. Please note this isn't a criticism of this book in particular more of mysteries overall. We can maybe figure out who the bad guy is, make predictions as to what will happen, but I always feel outside of the story. (I am interested in mystery books that break this mold. Please make a suggestion in the comments.) That said this book did have some interesting character interaction. The plot was driven by the puzzles in the book, but also affected the lives of those working on it. There are many comparisons between this and The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. Some claim this is just a rip off. There are some comparisons to be sure. Both involve historically accurate relics being used to solve a puzzle that is hundreds of years old. The Rule of Four was being written before The Da Vinci Code was published. It would be a more accurate accusation to say they ripped off Dan Brown's other book Angels and Demons. The books differ enough that, though they are similar it isn't a total rip-off. If anything I think most reader that like one of the books would enjoy the other as well.
2 Emotional: Interpersonal ties between Tom, his girlfriend and his friends add some emotional content, but nothing that innovating. 3 Intellectual: The adventure in the book is interesting, but it does seem like you are left an observer and am not much a part of the discovery. 1 Long Term: Nothing much about this book jumps out as striking. I imagine it will get lost in the mass of other mystery books of this era.
A total of 6 out of 13. Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason's book is quick and entertaining. A lot like a summer action flick it keeps your attention for a while, but isn't going to change your life. It made the New York Times bestseller list, but so does a lot of crap. If you really enjoy the genre or just want a fast read then you'll enjoy it. Otherwise find something else.
This is Jerimiah Martin tell you to Keep Turning Pages!
Currently reading: The Rule of Four By Ian Caldwell Release date: 2004-05-11
This book was an enjoyable surprise. I continued my exploration into Indian writing and was offered this book. Manil Suri's first literary attempt grabbed me and didn't let go. Typically, reading about another culture and its people is of great interest to me. This book is set in contemporary Bombay . Going in I expected the book to be about the Hindu God Vishnu. I was quickly relived of that expectation when I realized the main character, Vishnu, is actually a homeless man that lives on the landing of an apartment.
The old man lies dying. His experiences and those of all the people around him flow from chapter to chapter. The reader melds with Vishnu. All that surrounds him is revealed in the pages. The book begins realistically. You meet each person and learn about their lives as they play out. Mrs. Asrani, brings tea to him and her inner dialogue betrays her disgust for him. "It would be foolish to stop now (giving him tea), when at most a few more cups could possibly be required." Mrs. Pathak worries about the dying man ruining her "Kitty party" that afternoon than the man himself. In the evenings Salim and Kavita, two young people in love, plan to elope. Vinod sits at his record player listening to a song that fills him with memories of his long dead wife. The description of average people living in an apartment together could easily be happening in many places around the world. In fact the author notes where he grew up a man named Vishnu lived and died on the landing of his apartment building. The sense of realism is prevalent.
As you delve deeper into the book Vishnu starts to go in and out of consciousness. The reader joins him as a young boy. His mother sits and tells him stories of the yogi-spirit, Jeev, who lived nine hundred and ninety thousand lives. You join him as the love of his life, Padmini, agrees to go on their first date. Soon he starts to question who he is. Mr. Jalal has a dream that Vishnu is really a god. Can it be true? Is Vishnu man or is he god? The story weaves between reality, past and fiction.
The book is simply written, but has an impact of importance. The conflict and pleasure of many people in an apartment building is laid out in detail. You enjoy life of one man and its triumphs and failures. Each day a persons decisions lead them onto a different path than what could have been. The simplicity of The Death of Vishnu makes it ring true. The book reads easily and has short chapters broken into small sections. Each time I would finish one I needed to read the next one. Suri fills the book with beautiful imagery that is lucid and straightforward.
3 Emotional: When you are dropped into the conflicts of the characters lives it is easy to care about them and encourage them to make the right decisions.
3 Intellectual: The questions of life and religion allow the reader to experience others way of life. It is also a look into a non-american way of life.
3 Long Term: There is nothing that would keep this from being an enjoyable book in future. I could lose some impact in that it feels current and would not have that as time passes.
A total of 9 out of 13. Not a bad score. I did enjoy it and tore through it in less than a week. I wouldn't say it affected me deeply, but it would be enjoyable to a wide variety of readers.
Bill Bryson decides that he is going to hike the Appalachian Trail . He tells his friends, his family and his publisher and then he decides to do some research. "[T]his was way beyond –way beyond- anything I had attempted before." Nevertheless he continues with his plans. He soon realizes that he has an enormous distance to cross, over 2,100 miles; and he is going to do it all by himself. He writes friends, family, acquaintances and people he hasn't talked to in years. No one replies. Shortly before he is set to leave an old friend, Stephen Katz, called. "Do you think maybe I could come with you?" A week later Katz shows up with a smile, a backpack full of snickers and snack cakes, along with the will to join Bryson on the Appalachian Trail .
The two set off from Springer Mountain in Georgia . This is the beginning of the southern end of the trail. The plan is to hike through the wilderness all the way to Mount Katahdin in the Maine wilderness. In order to make this long trip you have to start early in the south and hike north with the spring thawing so you can make it all the way in one go.
"It was hell" The two men are unprepared for just the beginning of the trail and have a series of adventures involving interesting people and the unrelenting trail. Bryson has a way with humor that makes you laugh out loud. I want to make it clear. Numerous times as I read this book I found myself literally laughing out loud, usually at the expense of the hikers' misfortune. Bryson has the drive to see American in a unique way that can only be possible by getting away from the bustle of society and being a "mountain man." Katz is looking for something different from life. A lifetime of night after night of TV dinners is all he has to look forward to. The trail is a relief to both of them in different ways.
As they build up there tolerance for the trail life they start to make good time, eventually meeting up with other hikers. A young chatty woman attaches to Katz and Bryson constantly telling them what they are doing wrong. They encounter an old man, Chicken John, who has been hiking the trails for months, but gets lost so often makes barely makes any headway. A mysterious hiker, always at the edge of vision that they can never quite catch up with, eludes them. They all add color and humanity to the trail. At night they stay in shelters on the side of the trail. Sometimes they are alone; other times a large group of people make things a cramped affair. The reader gets drawn into the hike. You feel the joys of reaching a summit and the expanse that can be seen. You're discouraged by looking at a map and all the climbing, hiking and sleeping on hard ground adds up to one inch on a very large map. You have elation at seeing a town up ahead that promises food, a shower and much needed rest. You are disgusted at the ugliness of a strip mall after being in the boundless peace of the woods. All these emotions are delivered with levity.
Intermixed with the adventure and humor is a history of the Appalachian Trail as well as the impact that humans are having on it. There is a touch of environmentalism which would be expected. I can't imagine spending that much time in the woods and not be shocked by the things humans do to destroy them. Bryson talks about how the Park Service is extremely under budgeted while the roads to the parks are fabulously maintained. Some of the ideas in the past to "help" the woods have done more damage then leaving things alone. The history of the trail is gotten into at length. The trials of getting the trail made. How certain roads and projects force the trail onto not so natural places. In fact a 20 mile section of the end of the trail was chopped off to make room for development. Certain parts of the trails have actually taken back places for the wilderness and the trail always changes from year to year for a variety of reasons.
Bryson's book is an interesting read. It is funny in a way that catches you off guard. He may be explaining a horrifying experience of other camper's encounters with a bear; then describes what he would do in such a situation you can't help but laugh. Take seriousness of a trip such as this, mix with the humor of human endeavors, and add a little history and you come up very enjoyable book.
3 Emotional: The men's experiences on the trails make it easy for you to get pulled in. 3 Intellectual: The historical and environmental impact of the book is significant and well presented. 4 Long Term: Although I don't imagine this book will ever be extremely famous it will always be a good read. Hopefully, not because it's main subject, the Appalachian trial is history itself.
10 out of 13. It is a very good read. It reads easily enough and I found it hard to put down at night. I think this would be pleasing to most anyone. If you are interested in camping/hiking you owe it to yourself to read it.
The story begins with a European character on his way to the Emperor Akbar's palace in Fatehpur Sikri, the newly built victory capital, to tell a story that can only be heard by the emperor. He tells those who impede him that it would mean death for anyone that hears it besides Akbar. The character's name changes numerous times in the story depending on who he is with and what he is attempting at the time. After some effort he is allowed into Akbar's presence and begins his tale. From here the book diverges into a myriad of fantasy and fact.
Rushdie has made the story exist in our history, but adds magic to every part of the tale explaining it this way: "such occurrences being normal at that time, before the real and the unreal were segregated forever and doomed to live apart under different monarchs and separate legal systems". All of Rushdie's novels I have read have a touch of the magical. In this book he takes it to the extreme. The charecters are famous people from history such as Niccolò Machiavelli, Genghis Khan, and Vlad the Impaler. Other historical charecters appear as well. Akbar the Great, a Mughal emperor, is a main character that becomes facinated with the story of the traveler that we eventually come to know as Vespucci. He claims, despite not looking close to old enough, that he is the uncle of the Emperor. The tale weaves between two worlds. The time of the Medici's in Florence and the "current" time in Sikri. Witches and Spells, Enchantresses and Oils, Harems and Wives, Mirrors and Reflections, Magic and Reality all tumbled together bouncing between these two entertwined tales. The "reality" of the story gets so mixed with the fact that from my point of view (someone that knows virutally none of the real history) it all seems to be a fantasy.
One of the characters becomes so in love with the idea of the perfect wife that she appears and satisfies him in everyway, so much so that his bevy of real wives are ignored. A whore known as the Skeleton, when paid two gold coins, anoints a traveler with oils. These oils enchant each person he meets wearing off in time to allow the underlying scent to bewitch the next one. A woman whose power of magic and beauty make all that see her fall under her spell. A city stays quiet by Kingly decree, but music and parties abound in his absense. A pair of women so beautiful that the one could only be considered unperfect when compared to the other. A righteous king is basically a sex starved pervert. A common whore has the key to saving a city. These and many other experiences like it is what makes this book great. As the two stories unfold they reveal smaller short stories within them. This is obviously an homage to A 1,001 Arabian Nights. Rushdie adds little details to show you this is his plan. It is interesting that this book isn't completely original. As you read the book you find yourself recognizing different parts of other stories you have heard. Some might see this as a detraction from the book. I find the writing style and the integration of these stories is what make this "detraction" a bonus.
I found the book to be engrossing. It wasn't that I wanted to turn each page to find out what happened next, but was pleased to be invited to live in this magical world of fairy tales. It is difficult to describe the plot of the book. It is a story about stories. What you dreamed was possible and the fantastic is waiting around the corner. The mixture of realism and magic drew me like a child into my first fairy tale. This book is much more about the journey than the destination.
Of course Rushdie's writing style was superb. His way with words is always a constant joy. Every other page you can find an engaging similie or a exciting comparison. This is always something I have enjoyed about his writing and I am not disapointed with this addition. His ability to take your conventional view of something and twist it so you look at it a different way is wonderful.
5 Emotional: The book's ability to draw you in and allow an adult to be a child is magnificant. This is a perfect fit for me. The ability to engage and tantalize is perfect.
4: Intellectual: The intermixing of our history with the fantasy pleases in ways that few books do. I should note the Rushdie does use some words that are far from common use. A handy dictionary will help you out.
4: Long Term Impact: Arabian Nights for the modern age is a way this book will surley be looked at. I don't know that it could have the staying power of that, but I think it could be just as relevent in 100 years. Then it would be a vision into our past as well as the times it was written in.
A 13 out of 13. A perfect score. I think this books is one of the best I have read. It is one of the best books by one of my favorite authors and I think anyone that isn't turned off by fantasy should read it. I should add that the book can be a somewhat difficult read. I consider myself well read and I found a number of words I didn't know.
The Sword of Shannara begins with Flick Ohmsford being confronted by a stranger, Allanon, on the way home. Soon his "brother" Shea and Flick are on adventure. The stranger tells Shea that he is actually the last living descendent of an old elven family and is the only person that has the power to stop the evil Warlock Lord. They must travel to the dwarven lands and there they will find shelter from the Skull Bearers that are set to capture Shea. Once there, they will be able to set off for the fabled Sword of Shannara. With this they can stop the Warlock Lord who is bent on taking over the world.
Shea and Flick set off to a nearby kingdom to get help from a friend, Menion Leah. With his help they make to the dwarven lands where they join a band of characters from different races. Balinor the crown prince of Callahorn, Hendel the Dwarf, as well as Dayel and Durin the elven brothers all join them in the quest for the sword. Through many pitfalls and dangerous journeys the must make their way to Paranor where the Sword of Shannara is set in stone.
This book was recommended to me based on the entire series. I was warned that this book has many similarities to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series. That after reading this book the story makes its own way and becomes a great series. I will have to say that the first 300 pages read like Tolkien. Not the writing style, but the characters and plot. In both stories a mysterious wizard sends a reluctant pair of young men on a dangerous world saving journey. The wizard has to leave to do other things, but will meet them. They are chased by supernatural beings across the country side. They are joined up with a group of adventurers representing the free peoples. They must work together to fight the evil faceless being in order to save the world. As you read this the similarities get to be disappointing.
The positives are many as well. I find Brooks writing style to be engaging and entertaining. The story has a nice pace and after the beginning disappointment develops into an interesting story of its own. This is Brooks's first book and you can see him develop as a writer as the book goes on. He admits that he was heavily influenced by Tolkien. Eventually, Shea is separated from the main group and travels with a pair of roadside brigands, Panamon, the one handed rogue and, Kelset, the mute troll. These characters are both likeable and a change of pace.
The book has a typical predictable quality to it. I have read many fantasy books and this book follows along many paths I have followed before. It has the distinction of being the first fantasy book on the New York Times best sellers list. I am sure it has helped make the paths for a lot of the books I have read since it was written, but it still owes its existence to Lord of the Rings.
Intellectual 2 - His writing style is very engrossing. In this he far outweighs Tolkien. If not for Brooks wonderful writing this book wouldn't have been published.
Emotional 2 - This has the typical heroic band of adventures out to save the world vibe, nothing to dramatic.
Long Term - 3 Obviously, not a ground breaker because of its similarities to Lord of the Rings, but plenty of influence on future writers was made.
A total of 7. Not that great of a rating from me. I honestly wouldn't recommend this book because in this genre there are tons of great reads such as George R.R. Martin's, Game of Thrones. BUT! I was told that it is the series that makes this worth the read so I will let you know as I read those books.
This is Jerimiah Martin telling you to keep turning pages.
In 1959 four members of a rural family were seemingly killed without cause. The house was broken into, phone lines cut, each person bound gagged and shot. Nothing of significance was stolen. Who was it? Why did a sleepy town become the center of national attention?
Capote takes the Clutter Murder and shows you what happened through the point of view of all sides of the story. You start meeting the family and learning about their daily lives. You see how popular they were with the local people and experience the down home feel of their rural lifestyle. Then you enter the lives of Dick Hickock and Perry Smith. Both paroled felons roaming through the Kansas countryside with evil intentions.
Soon the family is slaughtered and the murders are on the run. The reader then becomes a part of the investigators lives. Trying to find the killers. Talking to hundreds of people following an equal number of false leads. Locking your doors at night because you can't trust your neighbors anymore.
Then you join the care free killers. A long drive down to Florida leads them back across the US into Mexico . Hickock and Perry become acquaintances that you have meet and then feel compelled to know their entire story. How can these cold hearted killers so casually disregard their past deeds and try to start up a new life?
Capote paints each of the characters from a very realistic light. He doesn't make the murderers out to be these sadistic homicidal maniacs; the men chasing them aren't knights in shining armor. Each person is presented as they are. Real.
3 Intellectual: This book has elements of intellectual impact. His use of words and sentence structure are at times engaging in interesting. It depends what type of reader you are this could be either Intellecually and/or emotional appealing.
4 Emotional: Capote makes the facts come alive. You don't feel like this is all derived from research but as if the writer was a part of the entire situation. You are with the investigators. You go into the house with the murderers. Very compelling.
3: Long Term Impact. Books like these make it easier to rate. The book has been a classic for 50 years. I think it is safe to say that it will continue to stand the test of time. When written it stood more alone. Sadly, as our society has more and more of these terrible events happen the more a book like this loses its impact.
A total of 11. If you think a story of murder would be interest you then you can't go wrong. It is a depressing book so take that into consideration.
Currently reading: In Cold Blood By Truman Capote Release date: 2006-01-03
I had heard about this book and had been planning on reading for a long time. I had been told that this and other books in the genre were the basis for the Matrix movies. After reading it I can see where a lot of ideas were "borrowed".
The book you takes you into a not to distant future where all the laws no longer exist. Governments are basically gone and have been replaced by small city states backed by humungous corporations. The world has degenerated into existence of drugs, guns, gangs and mafia. The internet has been advanced to the point of 3d realism. Those that "made" a place for themselves in the beginning are now some of the greatest people in the "Metaverse", even though in reality they live in a storage facility. The main character is Hiro Protaganist. Unemployed and broke he tries to find information to load into an enormous database. Later if people try to access that info he gets paid. Most of the time though he just jacks into the Metaverse and lives there. He has a much better life and there he is the greatest sword fighter in the world.
Hiro go into the Metaverse early and helped design one on the most prestigious "clubs", the Black Sun. A friend of his is offered a "card" called Snow Crash in the Black Sun. When he opens up the "card" his real body goes into a coma. Hiro along with a friend, Y.T., are drawn into a world of technological warfare, mafia and drugs. Soon Y.T. befriends the head of the Mafia and is running errands for them. Hiro investagates his friends "murder" and a close friend disappears. He starts a long trek up the west coast pusuing her. Both Y.T. and Hiro become entangled with a man. Raven, the ultimate bad guy, has only one goal in life, to "Nuke the USA ".
This book was very refreshing. Although most of it seems to be an extension of what happens in current times Stevenson comes up with entertaining takes on our "progression" into the future. Kouriers that are the best means of mailing since they usually travel faster than traffic, Jacking into the internet and cyborg guard dogs all add an element of futurism to the book.
This book is already considered a Cyberpunk/Science Fiction classic and I think it will continue to be that for some time. His unique take on the future combined with a gripping story really made for a fun read.
I am changing my rating system again. I found my old system to be a bit confusing and had a lot of overlap. From now on I will rate based of these different forms of impact: Intellectual, Emotional and Long Term. Intellectual will focus on things like word use, science and other intellectual contributions the book offers. Emotional will take into consideration imagery, beauty and those wonderful sentences that just strike you as great. Long Term will be the same as before where I feel the book will sit in 100 years. I will still grade on a 0-13 scale 4 for each and an extra point where I want to put it.
So Snow Crash
5 Intellectual: This is where this book shines. Most of the draw of this book is in the science fiction elements. I feel this is what makes the book so great. 2 Emotional: It doesn't strike as a real emotional book. There are some elements but they seem to be side line to the meat of the book. I do give it a couple of points because of interesting imagery. I would explain more but would reveal too much.
3 Long Term: For some time this book is going to have some impact. Since it is a book about the future some of the things are going to become true. As these things become reality the impact of the book will lessen. It is possible that this may be looked at like a dystopian classic such as 1984 though.
Final rating: 10. Most people that read this book would enjoy it. If you are into science fiction at all this should definitely be on your list.
